The First Day

Martin Greenland

This work was always about the coming of Spring.

When I look back at ideas and works developed from those ideas, some of them do seem rather wet; a bit soft and sentimental. The thing is, I cannot think of anyone who wouldn’t be filled with a new energy, lightness and happiness on that first day after the winter when one can leave the windows open through the day and the crystal clear light streams in. Its enough to melt the heart of the most hardened modernist. That is what this painting is about.

In the room closest to us, where the carpet is of old leaves and the walls dissolve into dark winter woods, a single beech stands, its trunk green with algae and running wet. Beyond into the far room the leaves are still there but they are lit by the sun which streams in through an open window. In this room there are snowdrops bursting and elegant Georgian furniture reminiscent of that from the family home. A beech sapling stands, young and clean and supple. A light breeze gently lifts the curtain.

Perhaps its a little cliched now but it was painted 23 years ago.

This painting rotted on the floor of our cellar and eventually I burned the remains on a bonfire. All I have is this image of a very beautiful painting.